Discovery

Esso recognizes that working with NH3 comes with inherent risks. Every spring, they implement a safety initiative (NH3 Work Alert Safety Program) to remind their handlers of NH3 (ammonia) that they are dealing with a potentially lethal substance. The opportunity presented itself to move their existing program online in order to provide them with more creative and interesting ways to interact with their target audience.

Objective

It is Esso's objective to ensure that the NH3 product is handled responsibly with the end result being "zero incidents so nobody gets hurt." The program is also implemented to recognize and support the individual and team commitment to safety performance.

Solution

In past years, the NH3 Work Alert Safety Program utilized a telephone quiz to educate and remind their handlers of the dangers associated with dealing with ammonia. This year they decided they wanted something that was more innovative and interactive. To this end, we came up with a way to incorporate online safety questions into an exciting contest format. The online nature of the program was deemed to make the program more accessible and enabled program participants to answer questions at their own pace, more clearly understand the questions being asked and obtain valuable additional information and safety tips along the way.

Each participant was required to complete a comprehensive online registration form before they could start answering the questions. The contest ran for 10 weeks and allowed participants the opportunity to answer questions during any six weeks during this time period (maximum one visit per week). On each visit, participants answered a five question survey.

At the conclusion of the contest period, the company with the highest employee participation and the company with the most correct answers won exciting prizes. What made it even more interesting is that participants could easily track how they were doing compared to other handlers via the "contest leader board" that was updated hourly.

Results

The results of the program exceeded expectations. Approximately 75% of the 400 crews participated in the program. Plus, the percentage of individuals who got all five questions correct was over 65% which was higher than expected.

Summary

The program was well received by all parties involved. The NH3 Work Alert Safety Program is expected to run in a similar format in late 2006 with the potential to expand into other larger divisions within Esso.